English Bondy Blog

AXEL IN THE USA - Before returning to France Axel was guided by Harry and his wife through the HOOD, the big black district in Chicago. Chicken and prayer.

"Before you fly back to Paris," Harry said to me, "let's make a night of it." He is a 50 year-old black American whom I had met on 4 November, when he was holding his crying wife's arm while quietly wiping a tear. But "now we've done with weeping," he'd answered on the phone. A few hours later he comes round to fetch me in his black Sedan. When he opens the car's door, I can hear a song by James Brown. "You want to see black districts? Well, you gonna see what a black district really is."

"No use trying to drive by Obama's house. It's been barred ever since he was elected. This is clearly a big change in the district. Looks kinda funny. But don't worry, we'll take you somewhere more interesting, we are going to the Hood," he said in a slightly emphatic tone, softly approved by his wife. So, we're aiming southward. Among rows of buildings, I can notice blank spaces. "See? All that was burnt down when the people rioted after Martin Luther King was shot. There's been no rebuilding in these blank spaces. We park on Madison Avenue just in front of a Mac Arthur sign. The joint we enter looks downright plain, but it seems it's the local black headquarters.

 People are standing in line for their orders. "See? This is a typically black joint. And politicians know it, that's why they occasionally pop in for a meal. Some sport or TV stars are regular customers." TV presenters and politicians, he explains, are used to dropping in so as to keep in touch with a fringe that may have some influence upon their careers. I take a seat after picking chicken with something that looks like mashed peas. It seems nice, though. I am about to fall to when Harry stops me : "Let's say grace". And there, I am praying - a thing I hadn't done in ages. Eyes downcast, we are holding hands while Harry prays softly for us, for our meal and for Obama's election... We start eating. It appears I have chosen some Southern specialities. Once I have downed my dessert, I take a good overall view of the room. And only now do I realize what they meant by a "typical joint". Signed pictures of black VIP's hang upon the wall. Shack O'Neill the basket-ball player, Puff Daddy the singer with Alicia Keys quite close to Obama. Other more local celebrities are there too. I start teasing Harry about Obama's blackness and how the city's black population reacted to the new president. "Before the election, some black people felt uncomfortable about him. But generally the common people were favorable particularly over here," his wife says. "Harry, for instance, has had a signed picture of him for four years. He wasn't yet a senator, just preparing his campaign." Harry nods : "I'd seen him speak and found him so much above the lot that I asked him for a picture. Just fancy, it's now worth a fortune. However, the local politicians like Jessie Jackson may have had some difficulties with him. I think maybe we can say they were jealous of him. But you saw, same as I did, that the reverend was crying on election night. It's all settled now, because he is the first black American president."

I observe that Obama is a half-cast. "You know, don't you, that a single drop of black blood in a white pot makes it black. That's what the segregation laws used to mean, just forty years ago." But back I go at him by asking whether he thinks that from now on a black person will find it easier to stand for political posts or the presidency. "I can't tell. There's something miraculous about this election. If it hadn't been for Bush, McCain or Obama's black and white parents, what would have happened? Besides, his African origin was a huge asset. The average American could hardly have been brought to vote for the grandchild of black slaves for fear of a backlash. So, Obama may be the first half-cast elected, but I can't tell if he is really the first black man...

written by Axel, in Chicago.  http://20minutes.bondyblog.fr/news/200811271300/je-ne-sai... [thanks to Briardounet for the translation, with all my thanks]

The crowd is focused on the President-elect's speech. And here he comes on the screen. Women are shouting his name as if he were an idol. His wife comes up to him and they embrace lovingly."He's so perfect," utters a woman in the hall. Throughout the kiss I can hear people getting emotional. When the kissing and cooing is over, Obama gives the off and the festival can start.

"Some white wine, please". By now there is a rush to the already overcrowded bar with young and old ordering their victory drink. Out come the lovelies in low-cut dresses. Some men wear a tie. Others have taken off their jackets or are casually dressed. Next to me, a man is fetching a drink for his wife. Harry Carter tells me he is a businessman and he found :"Obama's speech outstanding. I feel he's the very first politician who can speak both to one's heart and mind." Obviously he has never heard French politicians ;-). Before I can answer, his wife comes up to him. He orders a drink for her and invites me for tomorrow.

But here comes another man who says he knows Jennifer Hudson personally the black actress whose recent tragedy now becomes our topic of conversation. "Terrible what happened to her," the man goes on, "but she'll get over it, 'cos she's great." They're still at it while I quietly slip out of the hotel.

The press is as thick as on that day in 98 [3]. People surge back from the bridge to walk along Grant Park. Holding his wife's arm, a middle-aged man is weeping. A lot of people are talking in their cell phones. All around, one can hear campaign slogans with above all the word "Obama", together with "Yes, we can" and the new-fangled motto "Yes, we did" - which was already stamped on some T-shirts on sale when the evening began. The cry is taken up especially by young people claiming victory. I can see them moving along the horse-guard which is watching over Grant Park. And tonight bad temper is banished : they like everybody because "they did it". Someone hums "Remember, remember November 4th", like the English nursery rhyme celebrating "Guy Fawkes day". For the people in this crowd the dawning  November 4th opens out on a new feast.

I move away. It's late. High time to get back home. I make for a late night Thai restaurant. Alan Julamoke, the manager, welcomes me smilingly : "Today, I've had a lot more diners than usual. Seventy, that's twice as many. People have come from all over the place shouting and singing to celebrate Obama's victory". Sure enough, for the late night Thai restaurant, business is quite fine with Obama's victory.

written by Axel, in http://usa2008.20minutes.fr/2008/11/barack-jusquau.html  [thanks to Briardounet for the translation, with all my thanks]

I have received some friends' letters from several part of America. I have asked to Sandra Souillard, a friend of mine, schoolmate of my young ages to ask the same thing to friends of her . During my trip in America, that helps me to understand what could think people in this big country. There are some of those letters...

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Sin Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. SENT 8 October 2008 - 14:5

"Elections

Travis Gordon, Ormond Beach, Florida. Sent Saturday, November the 1rst of 2008, 17h59mn 33s
Objet : Re: writing about the elections in Tennessee

"Hi Sandra,

Here in our corner of Florida, folks are turning out in huge numbers to vote early.  Lines are always an hour or more long.  Many, including myself, interpret this as positive for the Democrats.  I spoke to a lady ahead of me in the voting line.  I commented that the long lines must mean that voters are concerned.  Her response was "I think they are frightened."  Fewer political signs are out in neighborhood lawns.  Republican signs still outnumber Democrat signs but fewer in total.  I interpret this to mean that folks are not admitting how they are voting, particularly Republicans.  Most folks are beginning to weary of this long process but no one is taking anything for granted.  The campaign volunteers continue to rally voters to support their candidate.

Travis Gordon
Ormond Beach, Florida"

Frome : Becky Sharpe; Nashville, TN, USA to Sandra Souillard, France. Sent Sunday November, the 2d of 2008, 15h30mn 00s
Objet : RE: writing about the elections in Tennessee

Chamain O'Mahony, New Orleans, Louisiana, (white mother) to Sandra Souillard sent Monday, Novembre the 3d of 2008, 14h39mn 49s
Objet : RE: writting about the elections in Tennessee

 In L.A.Axel is being tracked by a man, some 30 years old,who abuses him. Speeding up to the bus stop" 

"A man is tramping on the sidewalk, screaming like mad. He walks past the bus stop I want to reach where two people are standing with a hang-dog look. As the fellow passes them, one of them, a fair young woman, gives a start and clings both to her bag and to the man next to her. The fearful howling man traipses on. And so do I on the opposite sidewalk, quite unwilling to cross towards the bus stop and get too close to the madman. So I decide on another bus stop - but too late : the fellow has already spotted me  and makes for the crossing and this writer.

Axel in the USA

 The economic crisis and the cost of gas are the stakes. Is "Bike Sharing"  one of the solutions?

Axel in the USA : a painter gathers a crowd in New York in front of bankrupt Lehman Brothers. On his canvas ,the CEO's face. - A Report by Axel Ardes.

"Who's willing to sign my picture about Lehman Brothers?" a man was calling out to the crowd around. I was standing at 745 corner of 7th av. and Broadway. Behind the middle-aged man stood the building of Lehman Brothers the bank which that Monday had thrown Wall Street and the stock-exchanges of the world into a nice mess by asking for the protection of chapter 11 of the law on bankruptcy.

The picture showed the face of a man. I took a few steps back to get a better view at Richard Fuld's head, the bank's former CEO. There were written notes upon the picture. The painter was saying :"If you are or have been working for Lehman Brothers, please take a green felt tip. Otherwise, use a black pen." One person took a black pen and started writing a message below the portrait. I asked the painter's name and how he had managed to paint the picture so fast. While still calling upon passers-by, Geoffrey Raymond, the express painter, answered : "I wished to portray Richard Fuld about what happened to Lehman Brothers. But, in fact, I started about a couple of weeks ago." In surprise, I asked him how on earth he could predict the future as the bank had only just gone bankrupt. "Not at all," he said, "Anyone interested in present economics and reading the The Wall Street Journal could have easily guessed it would all end in tears".

We were interrrupted by a woman who worked in the bank and took a green pen to write a few things upon the canvas. I was wondering if she was going to send Richard Fuld to hell. So I drew closer to have a good look while she was almost kneeling so as to leave her trail upon the lower left corner :" I will remain faithful to Lehman for ever", she wrote before handing the pen back to Geoffrey Raymond. That little lady bore no grudge. I tried to ask if she'd lost her job, but she indicated that she wished to be left alone.

The painter watched me being chidden and, with a mocking smile, said to me :"That's the whole point about this picture - to allow people to have their say about the bankruptcy, in particular those who are going to lose their jobs". Geoffrey Raymond, for one, hasn't lost his bearings as his pictures sell for 3000$ up to 15000 $. "Get on my site, I have painted quite a lot. Even some pictures about McCain and Obama." Thereupon, I took my leave of this modern prophet of doom and gloom, thinking how uncomfortable it must be to be living with one of his pictures at home.

Vidéo of the subject:

"American elections ? What about sending one of our bloggers to the States?" Last June, when I asked the question, everyone in the editorial staff looked at me. Total dismay. This was sheer madness. Our Bondy Blog couldn't afford such a big thing. We never were the main French TV channel : we're just a tiny blog working any old how and with hardly an office worth mentioning. However, I had been thinking about it for quite a long while.

From the very first polls, the staff had been talking about the Illinois senator. "Just think he could be the next democratic nominee ! " At the time, I had taken a look at his internet site. Once there, imagine my surprise. I had to enter my first name, name and e-mail address if I wished to go on. Unconvinced, I filled the empty boxes, just to get the  know-how. But from then on, I started getting e-mails direct from Obama - if I am to believe what they said. And so we got quite chummy.

Every week I came in for sweet little nothings, beginning each time with "Dear Axel", and signed with his very name "Obama". I was immediately excited when I realized that this guy -maybe the next American president- did send me regular messages. He might have even have said "Yep, man!" And upon receipt, I used to go to work lightheartedly. No French politician had ever done that for me. Later on, with the French local elections in March 2008, I felt how much Obama was closer to me than my own politicians who didn't know a thing about me, not even my name or business. In the course of time, it became like a love story. I should have had some doubts when he started asking for money. Just a few bucks every time. Though, eventually, it meant many hamburgers I hadn't bought for myself. But every time, he wrote to say he cared for me, and so on and so forth. I went all soft and thought to myself : "Why not ? Even if he is miles away. And then, 15 or 25 dollars ain't that much."

But even over here some love stories go bust. A huge disappointment took place. Obama had written to say that I'd be kept informed about his vice-presidential choice. I was bold enough to start hoping. So much for me. Not only was I informed by the press about what he had promised to tell me personally, but I wasn't even the one chosen. It was one Joe Bidden, that nobody had ever heard of before and who is now the guy posing on his site with him...

That was hard to swallow, because we in France know all about promises. I still remember Delphine at primary school who had promised to marry me. And last year she just broke my heart when she married Juju the truck driver. So as I want to make sure that's the reason I am leaving for the States. Because if you want to know whether the marriage is OK, then you must be one the wedding guests.